California Games: the world's first surfing video game

The first surf game in the history of computers is California Games. The Commodore 64 video game was released in 1987 by Epyx, and it was a total success.

In the 1980s, video games were run in audio cassette tapes. California Games featured surfing, skateboarding, BMX, roller skating, freestyle foot bag and flying disc.

In the surfing competition, players had to perform the best possible moves and tricks, although they were not that complex. Only a bottom turn, a few cut-backs, aerials and tube rides could boost your final score.

Playing California Games was great, at the time. If the surfer wiped out, a shark would appear and the famous theme from the movie "Jaws" would be heard. A true classic.

In 1993, California Games 2 arrived with better graphics, improved sound and new sports. Surfing is replaced by bodyboarding and at the end of your wave ride you'd get a nice message: "Get a virtual life, dude".

System 3, the company who owns the title, recently announced plans to re-release California Games in the future new video game consoles. Luckily, Nintendo's Wii might be the first to duck dive into revival and nostalgia.